About the People Group

Named after their language, the Tigriyna people of North Ethiopia have a population of approximately 4 million. They trace their lineage back to the Habeshans, who settled to the southwest of the Red Sea, along the coast and up to the Ethiopian Highlands. A mainly pastoral and agricultural people, many Habeshans followed the Queen of Sheba in converting to Judaism through the influence of King Solomon. Christianity came to the Tigriyna people, one of three tribes to arise out of the Habeshans, through Coptic missionaries.

Many Tigriyna were then the first African converts to Islam (including other Habeshans) when they protected followers of Muhammad from their enemies in Mecca, sheltering them in the holy city of Negash, located in the region of Tigray. These Muslim converts came to be known as the Jenerti, the Elect of God, growing into religious leaders and university professors, particularly as Islam spread into Northwest Somalia, where they helped to make the city of Zeila a formidable Islamic stronghold.

While only mildly hospitable to foreigners, the Tigriyna are generally open to change. Their language is an Ethio-Semitic language.

About the Project

We are seeking to reach the minority Sunni/Sufi Muslim population of an area where approximately 95 percent of the people are Coptic Orthodox Christians. Therefore, much intercessory prayer is needed for guidance in bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

About the Call

Adventist Frontier Missions is working in conjunction with the North Ethiopia Field to answer their call for professional doctors (especially pediatric), nurses and kindergarten and elementary school teachers.

People-Group Facts

Population: 4,000,000
Language: Tigrinya
Religion: Muslim

(Sources: Joshua Project and Wikipedia)